Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Josephine Beker
Thomas Jefferson University
Description of condition Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a heterogenous, chronic condition which can be further divided into subgroups dependent on the symptoms presented (Bjorgvinsson, Hart & Heffelfinger, 2007). It is characterized by obsessive thoughts or images, which cause stress or anxiety for the patients, as well as compulsive behaviors, which are often repetitive in nature and used to reduce the feelings of distress (McGuire, Lewin, Horng, Murphy & Storch, 2012).
Signs/Symptoms - the manifestations Most patients diagnosed with OCD suffer from both obsessive and compulsive behaviors, although it is possible that one type …show more content…
The behavioral model pertains that OCD develops through a course of classical conditioning, whereby a stressful stimuli is calmed through a compulsive behavior thus creating the negative feedback cycle (McGuire et al., 2012). Additionally, the cognitive model states that a misunderstanding of stress inducing events causes the elevated anxiety and upset, and therefore compulsions are sought as a means to dissipate these emotions (McGuire et al., 2012). Stress has also been shown to increase the risk of developing OCD, with post traumatic stress disorder increasing chances tenfold (Bjorgvinsson et al., …show more content…
Most research has been completed on SRIs which show them as proven to reduce the symptoms associated with OCD (McGuire et al., 2012). Clomipramine was the first of the SRIs to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment of OCD (Bjorgvinsson et al., 2007). While its benefits have been proven for treatment, Clomipramine is accompanied by many side effects, such as dry mouth, headaches and sedation which make adherence difficult for some patients (McGuire et al, 2012). For this reason, SSRIs can be favored over clomipramine and are now the leading pharmacological treatment base for OCD (Pittenger & Bloch, 2014). Fluvoxamine is the most regularly prescribed of the SSRIs when treating OCD, however there is no current research which outlines it as particularly more efficient than other SSRIs (Pittenger & Bloch, 2014). Assuming the absence of reactions, SSRI medications should be trialled for a minimum of 12 weeks in order for their efficacy to be accurately determined (McGuire et al., 2012). In cases where CBT is proving ineffective, it is suggested that it be used in conjunction with pharmacotherapy so as to yield the best results (Gellatly & Molloy,
Josephine Beker
Thomas Jefferson University
Description of condition Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a heterogenous, chronic condition which can be further divided into subgroups dependent on the symptoms presented (Bjorgvinsson, Hart & Heffelfinger, 2007). It is characterized by obsessive thoughts or images, which cause stress or anxiety for the patients, as well as compulsive behaviors, which are often repetitive in nature and used to reduce the feelings of distress (McGuire, Lewin, Horng, Murphy & Storch, 2012).
Signs/Symptoms - the manifestations Most patients diagnosed with OCD suffer from both obsessive and compulsive behaviors, although it is possible that one type …show more content…
The behavioral model pertains that OCD develops through a course of classical conditioning, whereby a stressful stimuli is calmed through a compulsive behavior thus creating the negative feedback cycle (McGuire et al., 2012). Additionally, the cognitive model states that a misunderstanding of stress inducing events causes the elevated anxiety and upset, and therefore compulsions are sought as a means to dissipate these emotions (McGuire et al., 2012). Stress has also been shown to increase the risk of developing OCD, with post traumatic stress disorder increasing chances tenfold (Bjorgvinsson et al., …show more content…
Most research has been completed on SRIs which show them as proven to reduce the symptoms associated with OCD (McGuire et al., 2012). Clomipramine was the first of the SRIs to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment of OCD (Bjorgvinsson et al., 2007). While its benefits have been proven for treatment, Clomipramine is accompanied by many side effects, such as dry mouth, headaches and sedation which make adherence difficult for some patients (McGuire et al, 2012). For this reason, SSRIs can be favored over clomipramine and are now the leading pharmacological treatment base for OCD (Pittenger & Bloch, 2014). Fluvoxamine is the most regularly prescribed of the SSRIs when treating OCD, however there is no current research which outlines it as particularly more efficient than other SSRIs (Pittenger & Bloch, 2014). Assuming the absence of reactions, SSRI medications should be trialled for a minimum of 12 weeks in order for their efficacy to be accurately determined (McGuire et al., 2012). In cases where CBT is proving ineffective, it is suggested that it be used in conjunction with pharmacotherapy so as to yield the best results (Gellatly & Molloy,